The Fighter by Bob Bloom

Jan. 26, 2012 5:26 PM

Based on a true story, 'The Fighter' showcases boxing

In "The Fighter," Mark Wahlberg's Micky Ward must battle not only opponents in the ring, but the corrosive and stifling sphere and influence of those closest to him -- his family.

The film, based on a true story, follows Ward as he tries to succeed in the brutal world of boxing and step out of the shadow of his older brother, Dicky Eklund, while remaining loyal to his family.

Micky's mother, the fierce, strong-willed Alice, serves as his manager, and heads the dysfunctional clan. Family loyalty is everything to Alice, who turns a blind eye to Dicky's addiction to crack at the same time he is acting as Micky's trainer.

Dicky is the pride of Lowell, Mass., living off his reputation. A onetime fighter who supposedly once knocked down Sugar Ray Leonard, he is trying to stage a comeback.

But for Dicky, a return to the ring is a pipe dream because he can't kick the pipe. He is unreliable, a thief and a liar.

Micky is blindly loyal to his family even though it seems the fights they are arranging for him are more for the purpose of putting the spotlight on Dicky than advancing the career of his younger brother.

It seems the only one looking out for Micky is his new girlfriend, Charlene, a barmaid who has the grit, fortitude and confidence to stand up to Alice, Dicky and the rest of the family.

Circumstances change when Dicky is sentenced to prison for an abortive robbery.

There, he decides to clean himself up after watching an HBO documentary on the detrimental effects of crack in which he is the prime example.

While Wahlberg gives a strong, vulnerable performance as Micky, the film belongs to Christian Bale's Dicky.

Melissa Leo gives an egocentric turn as a mother filled with rage and suspicion of the outside world. Her love and dedication for her older son blinds her to his problems as well as the emotional negligence of Micky.

Amy Adams is tough and strong as Charlene, who sees in Micky a decency that overshadows the brutality of his chosen profession.

"The Fighter" is one of the best movies of the year. It is a feature that follows the tenet that the best sports movies are more about people than the athletic contest.

Bloom is the movie critic and Blu-ray/DVD reviewer for the Journal & Courier. He can be reached by e-mail at bbloom@jconline.com